A "Devilishly" Grand Exploration: April 6 &12

We both grew up in traditions where the "devil" was not considered to be a major player in our personal realities. He showed up as a cartoon-like character wearing a red suit, a goatee, horns and a sharp trident. Oh, he also had a spiked tail. As we developed our own sense of the Christian faith, we pretty much relegated the "devil" to mythology. For us, there is but One God, whom we know best through the man, Jesus.

We have close friends and family members, however, who treat the figure of the devil -- or "satan" -- as a key player in the unfolding drama of humanity. For them, the devil is like an unwanted stalker, who is constantly trying to trick the human soul into surrendering to the the dark side, at the cost of eternal damnation in hell. We wonder how the figure of satan compares to the figure of the Spirit of God as a part of everyday life.

We will explore some of these differing pictures of satan in worship, Sunday Morning, April 6th. Then, on Saturday, April 12, from 4-5:30 pm, we will welcome Professor Greg Mobley, who co-authored, "The Birth of Satan: Tracing the Devil's Biblical Roots." Mobley is on the faculty of Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. In 2005, this book was the main selection in three major book clubs, and has been described as THE book on Satan. His presentation is funded, in part, by a grant from the Johnson Fund of the Hampden Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.

The reader of this blog is most welcome to free admission to the Mobley event. A devilishly good meal will be served at 5:30pm for a donation of $8. Then, at 7:00pm, the silent film, "Flesh and the Devil," will be presented with live organ music by Peter Krasinski of Boston.

Come to the United Congregational Church of Holyoke, corner of Maple and Appleton Street. There's plenty of on and off-street parking. The Mobley event will be held in Skinner Chapel. The meal will be served in the Assembly Hall. The film will be presented in the main sanctuary.